Morphology of

flowering plants
1. Root
2. Stem
3. Leaf
4. Flower
5. Fruit
6. Seed

Morphology of Root
Characteristics :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Root is defined as the descending part of the plant axis.

It is positively geotropic.
It is positively hydrotropic
It is negatively phototropic.
It develops from the radicle of the embryo during seed germination.
Roots are generally non green and cylindrical.
They produce only similar organs i.e. secondary and tertiary roots
They do not show nodes and internodes

Morphology of Root
1. Region of root cap:
-

The tender apex of the root is protected with a

multicellular cap like structure called root cap.
The cells of the root cap secrete mucilage for
lubricating the passage of root through the soil.
In many hydrophytes like Pistia and Eichhornia, root
cap is replaced by root pocket.

2. Region of cell division or meristematic

region:
-

It is a small region about 1mm in length.

This is the growing part of the root and is
protected by the root cap.
It is made up of thin walled, compactly arranged
meristematic cells which have the power of
division.
This region helps in longitudinal growth by the
addition of new cells

3. Region of elongation:
-

It lies just above the meristematic region.

The cells of this region are newly formed and they
elongate rapidly. This increases the length of the
root.
The cells of this region help in the absorption of
mineral salts

Morphology of Root
4. Region of root hair or root absorption:
- Surface of this area is covered with numerous
root hairs.
- The cells of the outer layer known as
piliferous layer or epiblema produce root
hair.
- The root hairs are elongated, single celled,
tubular structures which remain in contact
with soil particles.
- The root hairs increase the surface area of
absorption.
-5. They
areof
short
lived and or
arecell
replaced by new
Region
maturation
root hairs after every 10 to 15 days and is
differentiation:
responsible
absorption
water.
- It
forms the for
major
part ofof
the
root.
- The outermost layer of this region has thick
walled impermeable cells.
- The enlarged cells undergo differentiation
to form different types of primary root tissue
like cortex, endodermis, xylem, phloem, etc.
This region helps in fixation of plant body
into the soil and also in conduction of
absorbed substances.
- Lateral roots also develop from this region

Morphology of Root
FUNCTIONS OF THE ROOT:
PRIMARY :
- The normal functions of the roots are fixation or anchorage of the
plant body into the soil (substratum), absorption of water and
minerals from the soil and conduction of absorbed materials up to
the base of the stem.
SECONDARY :
- In some plants roots perform certain special functions and such
roots undergo necessary modifications. Some roots become fleshy
or swollen for the storage of food materials e.g. carrot, radish,
asparagus, sweet potato, Dahlia, etc.
- After becoming green some roots manufacture food by
photosynthesis e.g. Tinospora, Trapa, Orchids etc.
- Some roots help in exchange of gases (respiration) e.g. Rhizopora,
Sonneratia etc.
- In parasitic plants like Cuscuta, adventitious roots penetrate the
host stem to obtain food and water.
- Sometimes roots also take part in vegetative reproduction e.g.
Sweet potato.
- Aerial roots absorb moisture from the air e.g. Orchids. Thus

Morphology of Root
TAP ROOTS OR TRUE ROOTS:
- develops from the radicle of an
embryo during seed germination is
called a true root or tap root.
- The main root is called primary
root.
- Its branches of first order are called
secondary roots and branches of
secondary order are called tertiary
roots and so on.
- The main root along with its
branches forms a tap root system
e.g. Mustard (Brassica), Sunflower
(Helianthus) etc.
- Presence of a tap root system is a
characteristic feature of
dicotyledonous plants. The tap
root normally grows vertically
downwards to a lesser or greater
depth, while secondary and
tertiary roots grow obliquely
downwards or some grow
horizontally outwards.
- All lateral branches are produced in
acropetal succession, i.e., the older

Morphology of Root

ADVENTITIOUS ROOT SYSTEM:

-

A root that develops from any other

part other than the radicle is known
as adventitious root.
Such roots may develop from the
base of the stem, nodes or from
leaves.
In monocots, radicle is short lived
and from the base of the stem a
thick cluster of all equal sized roots
arises. This is known as the
adventitious root system e.g. Maize,
wheat, sugarcane, etc.
It is also known as fibrous root
system as the adventitious roots of
grasses (monocots) look like fibres.
Fibrous roots do not grow very deep
into the soil

Morphology of Root
Modifications
Tap
1. Storage of food
2. Respiration

Adventitious
1. Storage of food
2. Support
3. Special functions

Morphology of Root

ODIFICATIONS OF TAP ROOT : 1. Storage of food

-

The tap root (primary) becomes fleshy and swollen due to the stored food.
The secondary roots remain thin.
Hypocotyl (embryonic region between cotyledons and radicle) may also join
the tap in storing food.
Stem is reduced and discoid in the beginning and bears radical leaves.
The swollen tap root acquires some typical shape and is accordingly
classified into the following three types :

Morphology of Root

ODIFICATIONS OF TAP ROOT : 1. Storage of food

FUSIFORM ROOT :
The storage root which is
swollen in the middle part
and tapers towards the base
and apex is called
Fusiform root e.g. radish
(Raphanus sativus).
CONICAL ROOT :
The storage root which is
broader at the base and
gradually tapers towards the
apex is called Conical root e.g.
carrot (Daucus carota).
NAPIFORM ROOT :
The storage root which is
much swollen, almost
spherical and abruptly tapers
around the apex is called
Napiform root e.g. beet (Beta
vulgaris).

Morphology of Root

ODIFICATIONS OF TAP ROOT : 2. Respiration

-

Plants growing in saline swamps,

marshy places and salt lakes are
called halophytes.
Many halophytes develop special kinds
of roots called respiratory roots or
pneumatophores.
Roots of these plants do not get air for
respiration as the soil is water logged.
As a result, absorption of minerals is
affected.
Such plants produce special roots
from the underground roots of the plant
near the soil, which grow vertically
upwards i.e. negatively geotropic
and come out of the soil in the form of
conical spikes.
They occur in large number around the
tree trunk and are provided with pores
called lenticels.
The lenticels help in gaseous
exchange required for respiration
e.g. Rhizopora, Avicennia, Sonneratia,
Heritiera (vern or sundri) etc.

Morphology of Root

DIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT : 1. Storage of food

SIMPLE TUBEROUS ROOTS:
- These roots become swollen and do
not assume a definite shape.
- They are always borne singly.
- These roots arise from the nodes of the
stem and enter in the soil
- e.g. sweet potato or shakarkand
(Ipomoea batatas).
FASCICULATED TUBEROUS ROOTS:
- A cluster of adventitious roots of some
plants become thick and fleshy due to
the storage of food.
- These are known as fasciculated
tuberous roots, as there are many
tuberous roots at the base of the stem.
E.g. Dahlia and Asparagus.

Morphology of Root

DIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT :

PROP ROOTS:
-

These roots arise from horizontal

branches of trees like Banyan tree
(Ficus benghalensis) and grow
vertically downward till they
penetrate the soil.
Secondary growth occurs in these
roots, so that they become thick and
act like pillars to provide mechanical
support to the heavy branches.

CLIMBING ROOTS:
-

Climbing plants like piper produce roots

from their nodes, by means of which
they attach themselves to some
support or climb over it.
e.g. money plant (Pothos), kali mirch
(Piper nigrum), pan (Piper betel).

2. Mechanical Support

Morphology of Root

DIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT :

STILT ROOTS:
-

These roots normally arise from a few

lower nodes of a weak stem in some
monocots, shrubs and small trees.
They grow obliquely downwards and
penetrate the soil and provide
mechanical support to the plant.
In plants like maize, sugarcane, bajra
and jowar, the roots grow in whorls.
After penetrating the soil they provide
support to the plant.
In screwpine or Pandanus, these roots
arise only from the lower surface of the
obliquely growing stem to provide
support.
These roots bear much folded multiple
root caps.

2. Mechanical Support

Morphology of Root

DIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT :

EPIPHYTIC ROOTS:
-

Some plants like orchid grow perched

on the horizontal branches of big
trees in forest to get sunlight. Such
plants have green leaves and can
photosynthesize. These plants are
called epiphytes.
Epiphytes develop special aerial,
hanging roots called epiphytic roots.
These roots are spongy due to
presence of a special tissue called
velamen, which is situated outside the
cortex.
The cells of velamen tissue are
hygroscopic, have porous walls and
with the help of velamen tissue these
roots absorb moisture from the
atmosphere e.g. Venda, Dendrobium,
etc. These roots fulfill the need of
water in epiphytes as they do not
have normal roots penetrating the
soil to absorb water. These roots are

3. Special Functions

Morphology of Root

DIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT :

SUCKING ROOTS OR HAUSTORIA:
-

These are highly specialized and

microscopic roots, developed by
parasites to absorb nourishment
from the host.
In partial parasites like Viscum album,
they penetrate only xylem elements of
the host to absorb water and minerals.
In total parasites like Dodder or Cuscuta
(Amarvel), they establish a connection
with the vascular strand of host and
suck food directly from phloem and
water and minerals from the xylem.
Such roots are called parasitic roots,
sucking roots or Haustoria.

3. Special Functions

Primary
Function
Secondary

Types

Tap
Adv
Storage
Of food

Conical
Fusiform
Napiform

Resp. roots

Modifications

Storage
Of food

Simple
Fasciculated
Prop

Support

Special

Stilt
Climbing
Epiphytic
Parisitic

Morphology of Stem
CHARACTERISTICS :
- The aerial part of the plant body is collectively described as shoot
system.
- Main axis of this shoot system is called the stem.
- Stem can be defined as the ascending part of the plant axis,
which develops from the plumule,
- It is usually negatively hydrotropic, negatively geotropic
and positively phototropic.
- It bears a terminal bud and axillary buds in the axils of leaves,
for growth.
- It is differentiated into nodes and internodes.
- At the nodes, it produces dissimilar organs such as leaves and
flowers and similar organs such as branches, exogenously i.e.
originate from outer tissue.
- The young stem is green and is capable of performing
photosynthesis.

Morphology of Stem
BUDS
Vegetative
-

The buds which develop into

branches are called vegetative
buds
Apical buds : located at the
apex of stem
Axillary buds : located in the
axils of leaves
Accessory buds : located on
the sides or above the axillary
buds
Adventitious buds : located at
areas other than nodes

Floral
The buds which develop into
Flowers are called floral
buds.

Morphology of Stem
FUNCTIONS OF STEM:
- The primary functions of stem are to produce and support lateral
appendages such as branches, leaves, flowers and fruits,
conduction of water and minerals to different parts of shoots
and transport food to all plant parts.
- Stem may, however, get modified to perform additional or
functions such as
- storage of food and water,
- proliferation and propagation,
- procuring support for climbing,
- perennation i.e. to tide over unfavorable conditions
- synthesis of food (photosynthesis).

Morphology of Stem
MODIFICATIONS OF STEM

Underground

1.
2.
3.
4.

Rhizome
Tuber
Corm
Bulb

Sub-aerial

1.
2.
3.
4.

Runner
Stolon
Offset
Sucker

Aerial

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Tendril
Thorn
Phylloclade
Cladode
Bulbil

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
- In many herbaceous plants, stem develops below the soil and is
called underground stem.
- Such stem remains dormant during unfavorable conditions and
gives off aerial shoots under favorable conditions.
- These underground stems often store food and become fleshy.
- Underground stem perform three functions- storage of food, perennation and vegetative propagation.
They can be differentiated from roots by
- stem like internal structure,
- exogenous branching,
- presence of nodes and internodes,
- occurrence of foliage leaves or scale leaves at the nodes with
axillary buds
- absence of root cap

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
RHIZOME:
- prostrate, dorsiventral
thickened brownish stem,
which grows horizontally
under the surface of the soil.
- It shows distinct nodes and
internodes. It possesses a
terminal bud and axillary
buds in the axil of each scale
leaf present at the node.
- Rhizome remains dormant
under the soil and at the onset
of favorable conditions; the
terminal bud grows into the
aerial shoot which dies at the
end of the favorable season.

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
RHIZOME:
- Growth of rhizome takes place
horizontally with the help of
the lateral bud
- . This type of rhizome is called
sympodial rhizome
- e.g. ginger (Zingiber
officinale), turmeric (Curcuma
domestica), Canna etc.
- In some plants, growth of
rhizome occurs with the help
of terminal bud.
- These are called monopodial
rhizomes
- e.g. Lotus, Pteris (a fern) etc.

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
TUBER :
- Tubers are actually the swollen
ends or tips of special
swollen underground
branches, due to the storage
of food (carbohydrate like
starch).
- The tubers show nodes and
internodes bear scale leaves
with axillary buds, commonly
called as eyes.
- Under favorable conditions
these eyes sprout and produce
aerial shoots.
- Thus tubers helps in
vegetative propagation.
Tubers do not produce
adventitious roots, thus they
differ from rhizomes e.g.
potato (Solanum

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
BULB :
- It is a condensed; disc like
underground stem, which itself
does not store food
material.
- The upper surface of disc like
stem is slightly conical and
bears centrally placed apical
bud and many concentrically
arranged overlapping scale
leaves.
- Inner scale leaves or leaf
bases store food and are
thick and fleshy, while outer
few scaly leaves remain thin
and dry and are protective in
function.
- Lower surface of disc-like
stem produces adventitious
roots.

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
BULB :
- The discoid stem with
compactly arranged fleshy
leaves above and fibrous
roots below is commonly
called bulb. It is almost
spherical.
- When the fleshy scale leaves
surround the apical bud in the
form of concentric rings, it is
called tunicated bulb e.g.
onion.
- Sometimes they may partially
overlap each other by their
margins only, such bulbs are
called scaly bulbs e.g. garlic.
- .

Morphology of Stem
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS
CORM :
- Corm is a short, stout, fleshy,
upright and thickened
underground stem.
- It bears many buds in the
axils of scale leaves which
develop into daughter corms.
- At the bases or even from
sides of stem adventitious
roots develop.
- Corm is a condensed form of
rhizome growing vertically,
- e.g., Arbi (Colocasia),
zaminkand (Amorphophallus
etc.)

Morphology of Stem
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
STEM TENDRIL:
- It is a modification of stem in which
axillary bud modifies to form a
thin, wiry, and highly sensitive
structure called tendril.
- Tendrils help the plant to attach itself
to the support and climb. They are
found in plants with weak stem. The
tendrils are leafless, coiled
structures with sensitive adhesive
glands for fixation.
- An example of axillary tendril is
Passiflora (Passion flower).
- In Vitis apical bud is modified into
tendril and further growth is resumed
by axillary bud.
- In Cucurbita, extra axillary bud is
modified into tendril, while in
Antigonon, floral bud is tendrillar.

Morphology of Stem
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
THORN:
- Thorn is a hard, pointed
usually straight structure
produced by modification of
axillary bud.
- Leaves, branches and flowers
are developed on thorns at the
nodes, indicating that it is a
modified stem.
- It provides protection against
browsing animals,
- e.g. Citrus, Bougainvillea,
Duranta etc.
- In Carrisa, apical bud is
modified into thorn.

Morphology of Stem
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
PHYLLOCLADE:
- The phylloclade or cladophyll is a
stem which gets transformed into
leaf like structure.
- The phylloclade is green, flattened
structure with distinct nodes and
internodes.
- It is thick, fleshy and succulent, in
Opuntia or Nagphani,
- cylindrical in Casuarina and
Euphorbia tirucalli and
- ribbon like in Muehlenbeckia.
- In xerophytes, leaves get modified
into spines or get reduced in size to
check the loss of water due to
transpiration and thus stem takes up
the function of leaf, i.e.
photosynthesis.

Morphology of Stem
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
CLADODE:
-

These are green branches of limited

growth (usually one internode long)
which have taken up the function of
photosynthesis.
True leaves are reduced to scales or
spines,
e.g. Asparagus

BULBILS:
-

When axillary bud becomes fleshy

and rounded due to storage of food, it
is called bulbils.
It gets detached from the plant, falls
on ground and develops into a new
plant,
e.g. Dioscorea

Morphology of Stem
SUB - AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
RUNNER:
- These are special, narrow,
green, horizontal or prostrate
branches which develop at the
base of erect shoots called
crowns.
- Many runners arise from each
erect shoot. They spread in
different directions and bear
new crowns above and tufts of
adventitious roots below at
certain intervals.
- Each runner has one or more
nodes. The nodes bear scale
leaves and axillary buds,
- e.g., Lawn grass (Cynodon
dactylon),
- Hydrocotyl (Centella asiatica),
- Oxalis, etc.

Morphology of Stem
SUB - AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
STOLON:
-

Stolon is a slender lateral

branch that arises from the base
of the main axis.
Initially stolon grows upwards
like an ordinary branch and then
bends down and touches the
soil where its terminal bud
gives rise to a new shoot and
adventitious roots,
e.g., jasmine, Mentha,
strawberry and Colocasia.

Morphology of Stem
SUB - AERIAL MODIFICATIONS
OFFSET:
-

It is commonly called the runner of

aquatic plants.
It is shorter and thicker than runner.
It helps in the vegetative
propagation in aquatic plants,
e.g. water hyacinth or jalkumbhi
(Eichhornia) and Pistia.
SUCKER:
- Sucker is a runner like non-green branch
which develops from the axil of scale
leaf in the underground part of stem.
- It grows horizontally below the soil for
some distance and comes above the
soil obliquely and produces green
leaves to form aerial shoots.
- The sucker can, therefore, be called
underground runner,
- e.g., Chrysanthemum, mint (Pudina).

Rhizome

M
O
D
I
F
I
C
A
T
I
O
N
S

Sympodial
Monopodial

Tuber
U/G

Bulb
Corm
Runner
Stolon

Sub
aerial

Offset
Sucker
Tendril.

Aerial

Thorn
Phylloclade
Cladode
Bulbil

Tunicated
Scaly

Morphology of Leaf
A dorsi-ventrally compressed, lateral appendage of stem produced
at the nodes and is specialized to perform photosynthesis
CHARACTERISTICS OF LEAF:
- Leaf is a thin, expanded, green
structure.
- The green colour of the leaf is due
to the presence of chlorophyll
pigment.
- It is exogenous in origin.
- It is borne on the stem at the
node.
- An axillary bud is often present in
the axil of each leaf.
- It has limited growth.
- It does not possess apical bud or a
regular growing point.

Morphology of Leaf
PARTS OF A TYPICAL LEAF :
LEAF BASE OR HYPOPODIUM:

PULVINUS

The part of leaf attached to the stem or

branch is known as leaf base.
- It may assume different shapes in
different plants.
- In some leguminous plants, the leaf
LEAF
BASE
OR HYPOPODIUM:
blade
may become
swollen which isThe part of leaf attached to the stem
or branch
is known as leaf base. It may assume different shapes in
called
pulvinus.
-different
plants.
some
In monocots,
theInleaf
baseleguminous
expands intoplants, the leaf blade may become
a swollen
sheath covering
stem partially
which isthe
caonocots,
the or
leaf base expands into a sheath
completely.
covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some plants
- Leaves of some plants possess a pair of
possess a pair of lateral
lateral outgrowths at the base, on either
sides of axillary bud. These outgrowths
are called stipules and such leaves are
called stipulate leaves.
- The leaves without stipules are called
ex-stipulate leaves. Stipules are
usually green.
- The main functions of stipules are to
protect the bud and carry out
STIPULES
SHEATH
photosynthesis.
-

Morphology of Leaf
PARTS OF A TYPICAL LEAF :
PETIOLE OR MESOPODIUM:
- Petiole is the part of leaf connecting
the lamina with the branch or
stem.
- Leaves that possess petiole are
LEAF
BASE
OR HYPOPODIUM:
The part of leaf attached to the stem
called
petiolate
and leaves without
or branch
known
as leaf base.orIt may assume different shapes in
petiole
areiscalled
non-petiolate
different
In some leguminous plants, the leaf blade may become
sessileplants.
leaves.
is called
pulvinousIn
- swollen
Petiole which
is usually
cylindrical,
but monocots, the leaf base expands
into
a sheath
covering
the stem
partially
or completely. Leaves of some
may
be hollow
(Papaya),
tubular
or
plants possess a pair of lateral
flattened.
- Function of petiole is to raise the
lamina to expose it to more light
and air and to help in conduction.

Morphology of Leaf
PARTS OF A TYPICAL LEAF :
LAMINA OR EPIPODIUM:
- This is the largest, most important,
green and flattened part of the
leaf.
- It plays a vital role in
LEAF
BASE OR HYPOPODIUM:
The part of leaf attached to the stem
photosynthesis,
gaseous
or branch isand
known
as leaf base. It may assume different shapes in
exchange
transpiration.
-different
plants.
In some
leguminous plants, the leaf blade may become
The leaf
is known
as dorsiventral
swollen
which
is called
pulvinousIn
monocots, the leaf base expands
when its
ventral
surface
is
into
a sheath covering
the stem
partially or completely. Leaves of some
structurally
different from
dorsal
plants possess
a pair of lateral
surface, e.g. dicotyledonous
leaves.
- The leaves having both similar
surfaces are called isobilateral.
Such leaves are found in monocot
plants

Morphology of Leaf
LEAF VENATION :
- The arrangement of veins and veinlets in the lamina is known
as venation.
- The veins are in fact conducting strands of lamina.
- They are concerned with the conduction of water, mineral salts
and food and form the structural framework of the lamina.

RETICULATE
PARALLEL
LEAF BASE OR
HYPOPODIUM: The part of
leaf attached to the stem
or branch is known as leaf base. It may assume different shapes in
different plants. In some leguminous plants, the leaf blade may become
swollen which is called pulvinousInmonocots,heleafbase expands into a
sheath covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some plants
possess a pair of lateral

Morphology of Leaf
RETICULATE VENATION:
-

When the veins and veinlets form a

network, it is called reticulate
venation.
Here the midrib is centrally
placed and veins and veinlets
remain distributed laterally.
It is found in dicotyledonous
plants.

o a sheath covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some

On the basis of number of midplants possess a pair of lateral

veins,
1. Unicostate - with a single midvein (e.g. Mango)
2. Multicostate - with two or more
prominent veins
(e.g. Zizyphus).
It may be convergent or
divergent.

Morphology of Leaf
PARALLEL VENATION:
- In this type of venation, veins
in lamina run almost parallel
to one another.
- It is found commonly in
monocotyledonous plants.
- It is of the following two types:

1.o a sheath
Unicostate
e.g., the
Banana,
covering
stem partially or completely. Leaves of some
Canna.
plants possess a pair of lateral
2. Multicostate e.g., Grass, rice,
bamboo, etc

Morphology of Leaf
SIMPLE LEAF :
- Simple leaves are those in
which single leaf blade or
lamina is present,
- e.g., Mango, Peepal, Papaya,
etc.
COMPOUND LEAF :
- Compound leaves are those in
o a sheath covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some
which the leaf blade
or lamina
plants
possess a pair of lateral
is divided into number of
segments known as leaflets or
pinnae.
- The leaflets never bear axillary
buds in their axil.

Morphology of Leaf
COMPOUND LEAF :
a) Pinnately compound
leaves:
-) In this type the leaflets are
present laterally on a common
axis called rachis, which
represents the midrib of the
leaf
-) (e.g. Gold mohur, Cassia)
o a sheath covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some
plants possess a pair of lateral
-) There are of four kinds of
pinnately compound leaves as

i)
Unipinnate
ii) Bipinnate
iii) Tripinnate
iv) Decompound

Morphology of Leaf
COMPOUND LEAF :
b) Palmately compound
leaves:
- All the leaflets of the
palmately compound leaves
are attached at a common
point, i.e. at the tip of petiole,
like fingers of the palm.
- There are five types of
o a sheath covering the stem partially or completely. Leaves of some
palmately compound leaves as:
plants possess a pair of lateral
1. Unifoliate
2. Bifoliate
3. Trifoliate
4. Quadrifoliate
5. Multifoliate.

Morphology of Leaf
PHYLLOTAXY:
Phyllotaxy is the arrangement of leaves on the stem and branches

ALTERNATE PHYLLOTAXY:
-

In this type, single leaf arises at each node.

The leaves arise laterally on the stem or branches,
e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.

OPPOSITE
PHYLLOTAXY:
stem or branches,
e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.
this type, two
leaves
arise
from each node
opposite Mango, China rose,
eInlaterally
on the
stem
or branches,
e.g.,inSunflower,
direction.
is of two types:
MustardItetverithe
stem partially or completely. Leaves of some plants
DECUSSATE : When one pair of leaf is placed at right
possess a pair of lateral
angle to next or lower pair of leaf, it is said to be opposite
decussate phyllotaxy. e.g., Calotropis, Ocimum, etc.
SUPERPOSED: In this type, all the pairs of leaves on the
stem are arranged one above the other, e.g., Jamun,
Guava, etc.
WHORLED OR VERTICILLATE PHYLLOTAXY:
- In this type more than two leaves arise from each
node and form a whorl around it.
- e.g., Nerium, Alstonia

Morphology of Leaf
MODIFICATIONS OF LEAVES:
LEAF SPINES:
- In some xerophytic plants like
Opuntia, the entire leaf gets
modified into a small, stiff, pointed
structure called spine to check
transpiration.
stem or branches, e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.
e- laterally
on only
the stem
orofbranches,
Sometimes
a part
leaf suche.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose,
Mustardstem
or completely.
Leaves of some plants possess a
as stipules,partially
get modified
into
pair of lateral
spines, to protect plants from
grazing animals,
- e.g., Zizyphus and Acacia.

Morphology of Leaf
MODIFICATIONS OF LEAVES:
LEAF TENDRILS:
- In certain plants having weak
stem, entire leaf or a part of it
gets modified into an elongated,
thin, cylindrical, coiled, wiry,
sensitive structure known as
tendril.
stem
or branches, e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.
These tendrils
to e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose,
e- laterally
on thehelp
stemthe
or plant
branches,
climb up on some
support.
Mustardstem
partially
or completely. Leaves of some plants possess a
pair of lateral
- In wild pea (Lathyrus), entire leaf
is tendrillar,
- in sweet pea (Pisum sativum)
terminal leaflets are tendrillar,
-

in Gloriosa only the leaf apex

modifies into tendril, and

- in Smilax, stipules become

Morphology of Leaf
MODIFICATIONS OF LEAVES:
LEAF HOOKS:
- In Bignonia unguis-cati (Cat's nail),
the terminal three leaflets get
modified into three stiff curved &
pointed hooks which look like
cat's nail.
or branches,
e.g.,
Sunflower, Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.
- stem
They cling
to bark of
tree
e laterally
onand
the help
stemthe
or branches,
(support)
plant for e.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose,
Mustards
partially
oriscompletely.
climbing.
Bignonia
an elegant Leaves of some plants possess
a pair of lateral
hook-climber

Morphology of Leaf
MODIFICATIONS OF LEAVES:
PHYLLODE:
- In some plants, petiole becomes
flat, green and leaf like and
performs photo synthesis. This is
known as phyllode.
- For example, in Acacia
stem
or branches,
Sunflower,
auriculiformis,
the e.g.,
normal
leaf is Mango, China rose, Mustard etc.
e laterally
on the
stem orand
branches,
bipinnately
compound
falls offe.g., Sunflower, Mango, China rose,
Mustards
partially or completely. Leaves of some plants possess
soon.
pair of lateral
- The petiole gets modifiedainto
phyllode. This is xerophytic
adaptation to reduce transpiration

Venation

Reticulate
Parallel

Types

Unicostate
Multicostate
Unicostate
Multicostate

Simple
Compound

Pinnately
Palmately

Alternate
Phyllotaxy

Opposite

Decussate
Superposed

Whorled
Spine

Modifications

Tendril

Hook
Phyllode

Whole leaf
Terminal leaflet
Apex
Stipules